Day Thirty – five – Sunday, 11/2/08

Up early today; had alarm confusion but thankfully Rebekah got me up. Upon getting ready, she and I went to Bowie to join 22 Silver Stars and about 7 moms (I was the only male of any age involved from Bowie) to take part in the Race for the Cure / breast cancer awareness fundraiser. We met up at school at 6:30 and headed downtown.

The fact my daughter asked me to take part (obviously it’s very hard for me to do anything on Sundays) and that my mom is a breast cancer survivor made it a no-brainer for me to take part. After milling around for a while with thousands of people, 21,000 of us walked 5k / 3.1 miles. Rebekah and I walked with each other, not really with anyone else. I really enjoyed it as it gave the two of us something else to do together. We talked the whole time we walked and I pointed things out to her along the way (like restaurants I had eaten at down there).

We got home and Jacob had headed off to Bethany on his own. He doesn’t really enjoy the visiting / checking out other churches. It’s nice knowing he enjoys being a Lutheran. Rebekah does too, he’s just not as desirous of “religious experimentation.” Also as we got home, Kathy had breakfast waiting for the two of us – it was a great morning.

Still tired, lied down about noon to take a nap, but my heart wasn’t really into it so I got up within 15 minutes. Watched some NFL, lounged around the house, cut my own hair (it turned out pretty good) and more lounging. Then at 5:30 it was off to The Well to be there by worship at 6:00.

Paul G. led the music and the worship. I’m sure Ryan takes his turns too, but no leading of worship from him this week. Was good to see some friendly faces. They’re trying real hard to reach the 20-30 something’s.

Tres Amigos sounded good to Kathy after that (and it always sounds good to me) so Jacob joined us and off we went. We got a to-go order for Rebekah, picked her up from YALL and to home we came. Channel surfed and off to bed. It was a long day, but a good one. Tomorrow I begin the last week of my sabbatical. It’s gone fast, but I’ve enjoyed it. kdl

Day Thirty – six – Monday, 11/3/08

Chris McClellan called a few days ago inviting me to lunch. As that would take up a big chunk of the day, I asked if we could do breakfast instead, and he agreed. We met at 8:15 at Galaxy. Had a great visit, catching up on our families as well as him filling me in on some of the plans for the long-term planning committee, part of our capital campaign. We had a great visit. When it was time to go, I couldn’t believe it, but it was 11:00.

I got in the car, drove all the way around the corner, (staying in the same parking lot) to Wok on Fire, and picked up some lunch to share with Kathy – chicken fried rice. We split that, so glad to spend the time with her. So, I spent the morning going from breakfast directly to lunch. Sounds kind of funny, but it was a pretty nice way to start the day.

From there it was home, took a plate back to Chicken and Peggy they brought my folks a cake on / visited with them a short while, watched a little TV, then took Chiquita for a walk. We went a long ways, gone for over an hour and a half. Based on the walk Rebekah and I took yesterday, I would guesstimate it was between 3-4 miles. Felt good, reminded me that one thing I’ve always wanted to do (and may do some day) is go for an all day walk. Would think I could probably do better than 10 miles.

Got the kids from school, fixed a gourmet (from Randall’s) soup supper, and hung out at home the rest of the night. Watched some MNF and off to bed – a good day. kdl

Day Thirty – seven – Tuesday, 11/4/08

Election Day 2008. I voted last Monday, so I didn’t have to face the lines, but I’m not so sure they’re so very long anyway. After getting the kids to school, it was off to a round of golf. Played with Glen, Nat, and Bryan L – had a good time, partly because I played the front 9 very well. Can’t remember the last time I shot a 44 (shot a 52 on the back – holes 10, 11, 12, and 18 triple bogeys; holes 13 through 17 – 5 over; the inconsistency drives me nuts).

Came home, grabbed lunch and just kind of hung out before getting the kids from school. After that it was nothing but watching the news / election returns all night long. At 10:00 it was announced on all the networks Obama had won. I voted for McCain, but so be it. Glad to support him and pray all goes well. It was an interesting night. I’m kind of tired, but (as of right now) I think the jet lag is wearing off. We’ll see what the next days hold for getting tired. No plans for tomorrow, just a Jacob football game. Time for bed. kdl

Day Thirty – eight – Wednesday, 11/5/08

Had a real slow morning, thought about just staying in and resting, but as the morning wore on, just couldn’t do it. I don’t have to have great accomplishments, but I just have a difficult time letting time pass without doing something.

So I made some reservations. Have a little money left and got the family a room at the Hyatt resort just outside Bastrop. Will write more about that as well as the activities we take part in once we’ve done it, but am looking forward spending this time away with the family. The sabbatical has gone so fast and the weekends have been so full, just haven’t had the chance to do this – it’s overdue.

Then it was off on a walk, Chiquita and me. Lasted for about 2 ¾ hours, went about 7-7.5 miles, and was tired when I got done. Stopped by Cowan to show the dog to the kids. Got home around 1:15 and really didn’t do anything but eat lunch and watch TV, just waiting for time to pass until it was time to get Rebekah. Then it was off to Jacob’s football game – kind of neat because it was at Burger football.

The team played well and won. He had a good game too, touchdown pass. It was the final game of the year; no tournament. Jacob doesn’t seem real broken up that the season has come to an end. He had a good year, but is ready to move on to basketball (which doesn’t start until the 2nd semester) and baseball (which won’t begin for 4 months).

I waited for him at school as he turned in his equipment, then it was to home so he could get some homework done. Kathy and Rebekah went to the game but had to leave – Confirmation class. After they got home, the 4 of us just kind of relaxed throughout the evening and went off to bed. kdl

Day Thirty – nine – Thursday, 11/6/08

Got a round of golf in this morning with Gary K. We played Jimmy Clay and we had a really good time. He’s a fun guy to spend time with. They paired us up with three other guys, so we had a fivesome. Wasn’t too bad though, still finished in under 4 hours.

I played so erratically (what else is new). Had 5 pars, 4 on the back nine, still just barely broke 100 / shot a 98. Probably won’t get out any more during the sabbatical, so all in all, got in five rounds (plus one at BPP). Enjoyed it every time. Not necessarily a whole lot better, getting in a round a week, but a little more confident. Kathy and I really hope to play golf, years from now, in our retirement.

After that, Gary and I headed to Texas Roadhouse and had a real nice lunch together. We were able to catch up on and talk about a few more things we couldn’t really get to on the course. In all honesty, when I’m on the course with friends, we talk about golf, not personal things. So having the time across the table was nice.

After that it was just getting Rebekah and Jacob from school, heading home and taking it easy with the family. After supper, we were able to watch our favorite TV show, The Office, for the first time in over a month. We don’t have a whole lot of shows we go out of our way to catch, but that’s one of the few. Come to think of it, we really don’t have another.

Then, eventually, after watching a few news shows on the wrap up of the election, off to bed. It was a good day. kdl

Day Forty – Friday, 11/7/08

Had plans to go catch a movie today; it would be my first and last one to catch these six weeks. I went quite often back in the days when my finger was badly hurt and couldn’t do anything around the house. So I looked forward to getting one in while I could.

Thought about catching a late morning movie, but rethought that for a couple reasons: 1) I wouldn’t be able to have one last lunch with Kathy, and; 2) I wouldn’t have been able to buy tickets for tonight’s game in advance. So it was off to do those two things, then off to an early afternoon show.

Saw “Role Models” – funny, but worthy of that “R” rating; that’s all I’ll say. It ran kind of long with all the trailers, so I was a little late for Jake. No biggie, just about 5 minutes. From there it was off to KFC to get Rebekah some dinner, as she wouldn’t be coming home before the game, rather getting ready for the game at school. By the time I got home from there, it was about time to get ready for the game.

We left kind of early so we could eat Bar-B-Que in Bastrop. Then on to the game. We so enjoy high school football, and it’s helped by the fact our daughter gets to dance at halftime. Good news this year is we get extra football. The team made the playoffs, so we get to see more games and more dancing next week, and hopefully more after that.

Got in line at the zoo that is Bowie High School after a game, got Rebekah something else to eat, and on home. We went to bed soon after that as we didn’t want to be too tired for our weekend at Hyatt Lost Pines. We’ll see what that brings tomorrow. My last sabbatical Friday was a very good day. kdl

Day Forty – one – Saturday, 11/8/08

Got up and got going. We were on our way to Bastrop before 10:00. They let us check in to our room before 11:00, which was great. Then it was off to McKinney Roughs to do the ropes challenge course, or that’s at least what we thought.

All they let us do was wall climb once (which I had a hard time with – used my arms more than my legs and it wore them out) and zip line twice. That’s fun, flying through the air with the greatest of ease. That’s one thing I could have done a few more times and it wouldn’t have been too much. Then back to the resort.

Since our room came with free snacks, we took advantage. We were all hungry, so we kind of pigged out – enjoyed it all. I was surprised, but Jacob went back to the room, saying he was kind of tired. When the rest of us went back, he was under the covers, sound asleep. He never does this, but his nap was 2 ½ hours.

The three of us went down to the pool. They’ve got a lazy river, like Schlitterbahn, so we floated it – very cold, but so relaxing. Then it was off to the hut tub. After a short while, Kathy went to check on Jacob, and she went to sleep; no big surprise – it is her gift. So Rebekah and I entertained ourselves the rest of the afternoon.

We started with Frisbee golf. I’m about as good at that as I am regular golf, but it was fun to do that with Rebekah. She’s so pleasant – we always have fun together. When we got back to the entertainment station, there was Jacob getting out of the pool. It was a nice surprise. So the three of us went on a bike ride. Funny how we don’t do that at home, but when we had the chance to do it here, we took advantage of it - we all enjoyed it.

Kathy came down and found us, so it was off to dinner. Free food again (or free because the room was so costly). Free booze too. We watched the TX Tech – OSU game while we noshed. Then, the highlight of the day - s’mores outside at the campfire. What is it about burnt marsh-mallows combined with graham crackers and chocolate that’s soooo good! We ate our share (and more). Fires outside are fun too. I’m glad fire pit season will be here soon so we can use our own.

Then it was back to the room to watch the end of the game and eventually off to bed. We really like this place. We may or may not return, since it is quite costly. But worth it and glad we came. We’ll see how the last day of the sabbatical goes tomorrow. But as for today, it was a very very very good day. kdl

Day Forty – two – Sunday, 11/9/08

Woke up before the rest of the family, so got cleaned up and headed off to breakfast. In the same room as the snacks and meals, and free again (part of the cost). Didn’t get much as I knew I’d return with the family. Went back to the room after I knew the alarm had gone off.

Went back up, had a good breakfast, and decided to spend the day at the resort even though we had to check out at 11:00. Started with a bike ride, then into the pool, or to be more exact, the waterslide.

The water was so cold we came up gasping, but amazingly we kept going down. Had lots of fun doing that with Rebekah and Jacob (Kathy watched) before heading off to the lazy river. Then the hot tub, a little Frisbee golf, and it seemed like the time to go.

On the way home ate at Hao Hao. Rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing and watching some TV. The kids don’t have school tomorrow, so Jacob and Rebekah went off to spend the night at friend’s houses. Kathy and I get a date night, my last night before heading off to work after being off for six weeks.

I’ll write concluding thought / reflections on the sabbatical tomorrow. It will be good to be back at work, but I have enjoyed every day, every moment, all the relaxation these six weeks have brought me. But more on that later. This last day, like all the rest was a good day. kdl

Day Forty – three – Monday, 11/10/08

Final Thoughts – Reflections

All over – back to work. It’s been great – wouldn’t trade these six weeks away for anything. Sure went fast. I never had trouble filling my days. Could have been given three months and never been bored.

While I didn’t necessarily feel I needed this time away (I wasn’t burned out, didn’t feel tired, wasn’t unhappy at work), I have to admit I really feel rested and refreshed, an inner something I haven’t felt in quite some time. I even wonder if it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a month away every other year or so.

Without a doubt, highlights of my six weeks had to do with the three most important people in my life. There was Vietnam with Kathy, dancing with Rebekah, and catching all of Jacob’s football games. Then there was the time the 4 of us finally got away, squeezing in a Saturday/ Sunday at Lost Pines.

I wish all other husbands and dads could echo my words (I know a lot do, but sadly, I know of the brokenness that’s out there), but I feel like the most blessed husband and father in the world. To be able to focus completely on them was a real treat. The kids are growing up so fast.

When I first learned, some years ago, that I could take a sabbatical at this time, my first impression was not to even entertain it until the kids were out of the house. I’m glad I didn’t do that. While they had school, the freedom I don’t always have was a wonderful gift and allowed me to be available for them when they needed it. Same holds true for Kathy – my free time was a blessing for both of us.

I’m not worried about counting the months or years until the next sabbatical. And if things should change and I have no more in my future, that would be fine. I’m well aware of the fact not all too many pastors receive them.

That’s why the memories of this one are so important. They remind me not only of what I did, but of how I’m respected and appreciated at Bethany. It’s nice to be able to say that. Now it’s back to the “salt mines” and that doesn’t bother me at all.

By the way, I weigh 184 pounds.

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